contents january departments 12 We Are Parks and Recreation The Risk of Parks and Recreation's Ever-Increasing Focus on Cost Recovery 12 When to Say No to a Donation 13 Managing Large-Scale Events 14 Exploring NRPA's Grant and Fundraising Resources 15 Letting Go of the Box 16 Remembering Dr. Morgan Powell 17 Why NRPA Members Are Glad To Be Involved 17 18 Research Meet NRPA's New Chief Research and Impact Officer NRPA Staff 20 Park Pulse Parks and Recreation Serves Millions of People 48 Operations The Case for Universal Changing Tables 48 Building Into Shape 49 Public Bid vs. Contract and Design-Build 50 51 Park Essentials 55 Advertiser Index 56 Park Bench Nighttime Nature Programs August Vandiver columns 8 Perspectives New Year, New Opportunities Kristine Stratton 10 Editor's Letter Turning the Page in 2025 Vitisia Paynich 22 Health and Well-Being Loneliness: The Hidden Epidemic Jo Burns, M.S., CTRS 24 Equity Building Green Spaces for Under-Resourced Communities Martin E. Martinez 26 Environmental Resilience The Maintenance and Benefits of Prairies Annie Porath 28 Law Review First Amendment Protection for DEI Advocacy? James C. Kozlowski, J.D., Ph.D. Community members take part in a prairie " planting party " in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Cover image: Photo courtesy of Rawpixel.com/ Adobe Stock Parks & Recreation is printed using soy ink on at least 10 percent post-consumer recycled paper and is mailed in a wrap - only when required - that is plant based and certified compostable. If you are interested in helping us go even greener, email us at prmagazine@nrpa.org and ask to opt out of receiving the print magazine. Parks & Recreation is always available to read in an ezine format at ezine.nrpa.org. 6 Parks & Recreation | J ANUAR Y 2 0 2 5 | PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G Page 26 PHOTO COURTESY OF KATY CAVANAUGHhttp://www.Rawpixel.com/ http://ezine.nrpa.org